Zach Seabolt holds slim lead at Northeast Amateur

RUMFORD, R.I — Zach Seabolt doesn't get the opportunity to face big-name players from the top schools in college golf often. A junior at Winthrop University, the Raleigh, N.C. native, who holds a one-shot lead through 36 holes at the Northeast Amateur after his second-round 65, is currently getting that chance. “We play some tournaments that have one or two big schools in it, but not every tournament like they get to play each other every week, so this is fun,’’ Seabolt told the Rhode Island Golf Association. “It shows them that small schools can play as well.’’ Seabolt shot one-under 68 on Wednesday, and cruised to a four-under 65 at the par-69 Wannamoisett Country Club on Thursday. He leads a large pack of 19 players who are within four shots of him, including Auburn's Michael Johnson, Texas's Scottie Scheffler, Iowa State's Nick Voke, and first-round leader Taylor Funk, who are all just one shot back at four-under. Funk, the son of PGA Tour and Champions Tour player Fred Funk, opened with 64 and slipped back into second with a one-over 70 in the second round. “I hit good shots, just chose the wrong club,’’ Funk told the RIGA. Funk's three-over start on his first two holes had him in a bad spot, and quickly out of the lead. But the Ponte Vedra, Fla. native, who will be a sophomore this fall at the University of Texas, made five birdies in his remaining 16 holes to grind through. His father shot an even-par 70 on Thursday during the first round of the U.S. SEnior Open at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento, California. Defending champion Stewart Jolly fired 69 in his second round and at two-under is only three back and in a tie for ninth place.